If you’ve only ever camped in an RV park, you haven’t really camped. Nothing compares to a night under the starry skies, especially when you’re camping miles away from modern society and enjoying the great outdoors the way nature intended. And all you need is a well-packed backpack and good hiking shoes to experience it all. Head to these five beautiful backpack camping spots in South Carolina and discover what camping should be like.
Starting at Table Rock State Park, this 17.2-mile out-and-back trip takes you to the two highest peaks of the state. During your hike, you’ll catch an eye-full of the miraculous 400-foot-drop waterfall, the highest in the East. You’ll make camp at the old stone farmhouse, where you’ll find that other hikers have made creative uses with the old rocks here. From here, it’s a 4.4-mile roundtrip to the top of Sassafras Mountain, the highest point in South Carolina. You can leave your gear behind to make the climb easier, then pick it up on your way back to civilization.
Throughout the park, you’ll find a variety of backpack camping sites to take you miles away from everything. However, they do require a reservation ahead of time, along with an arrival of two hours before the park closes to ensure you have enough time to reach your campsite safely. Opt for the Pinnacle Pass Loop, which takes you on a 10-mile excursion of the scenic park. The trail leads to a rock outcropping that offers the best view in the park. The camping along Pinnacle Pass is trailside only.
South Carolina’s unique location features a variety of hike-worthy terrain, including its little-explored swamps. To get a true feel for the state’s varied ecosystems, head to the River Trail in Congaree National Park, where you’ll venture into the heart of the floodplain. This 10-mile “lollipop” takes you along footbridges and boardwalks to the Congaree River. Though there are no true campsites in the backcountry, you will need to grab a free permit before setting up camp.
Running beside the famed Chattooga River (the same river in the movie “Deliverance”), this 15.5-mile beauty takes you on a wooded journey along the Georgia/South Carolina border. The trail crisscrosses with the Foothills and Bartram trails at points, so a map is extremely helpful in staying on course. You can set up camp in Burrell’s Ford campground (more than 13 miles from the southern trailhead) or in a plethora of places along the trail. This is certainly a camping trip for those who love waterfalls—you’ll see a fair few if you hike the entire trail!
The Palmetto Trail spans multiple states, but this 47-mile passage is the longest section. If you decide to hike the entire stretch, you’ll traverse a variety of landscapes, including a swampy area and miles of forested flatlands. The campsites here are about as primitive as they come, so make sure you pack accordingly. However, there’s a good chance you’ll spot some local wildlife, including deer and birds. This makes the entire trip worthwhile.
Alli Hill is a freelance content writer and mom of two. She spends most of her free time exploring the great outdoors by trail or by kayak. She is also the founder and director of FreelanceSpeak, a blog to support other freelance creatives.
